Sean:
How important do you view social media to selling your books or interacting with fans?
Kate:
I don't know that it is that important at the moment, to be honest. Fingers crossed, in a couple of years (if I'm lucky enough to still be doing this writing-as-a-job thing), it will be very important indeed. I see how well writers like Cassie Clare and Gail Carriger use social media to converse with their “fans”. I'm not sure I actually have “fans” yet! I mostly use social media to interact with peers and fellow book-lovers. If they happen to buy my book because of this interaction, that's an awesome bonus!
Sean:
Do you or would you want to receive any guidance from your publisher/agent on interacting via social media, both in a technical sense or in a 'professional presentation' sense?
Kate:
I've been social-networking and blogging for an awful lot longer than I've been “authoring” so, from a technical point of view I think I'm okay. I know that sometimes I might say silly stuff on social network sites, but I've received feedback that the people who follow me want this to continue. It's part of what makes me who I am and thus is part of my online “persona”. As a “follower” I tend to delete “tweeps” who are too professional, dry or self-promotional in their tweets, and I assume people would do the same to me. I am very conscious, though, of not saying anything too out-there, negative or in any way “adult” in my tweets and Facebook status updates. I'm aware I write for minors and it would be career suicide to write anything online that was inappropriate for them. I guess that's a long-winded way of saying, “No, I don't believe I need input into the way I handle myself on social media”. However, if a publisher wanted to offer me advice, I would gladly take it!
Sean:
There have been some recent examples of inexperienced authors reacting badly on the Internet in response to blog reviews e.t.c., what are your thoughts on being social media savvy? What advice would you give to new authors?
Kate:
Hmm, I think I sort of answered this in the previous section! My main advice to new authors (of which I still consider myself to be included) would probably be: Stuff on the internet is public. Stuff on the internet sticks around. Don't write anything on the internet that you wouldn't say to your grandmother! And try not to say anything negative. Not just about writing stuff, but about anything. People who complain too much on social media are irritating! Also, be yourself, not a walking billboard. If you only use social media to promote your work, people will get bored very quickly!
Sean:
In my experience Social media breaks down normal communication conventions. People can be more familiar and 'take liberties'. Have you experienced problems where this ease of communication has lead to followers/fans 'crossing the line' or has your experience been entirely positive?
Kate:
As I said before, I'm not sure I have “fans” but I have had a few aspiring writers “cross the line” a little bit. I'm really new to this writing gig, and I vividly remember what it was like to be really really new. I remember what it was like to be desperate for any and all advice you can get! I am really happy to pass on what tiny advice and knowledge I now have about writing or publishing. It's nice to be on that side of things now! The only trouble is I don't have a heap of time, so it means I just can't respond in detail to lots of queries. I worry this makes me sound rude or stand-offish and I always end up feeling really guilty if my answers are brief or not as in-depth as the person requesting them would like. Most people are really understanding of my lack of time, but some have, well, not been. I hope this doesn't make me sound like a horrible person!
Sean:
How vital is social media to the genre in which you write and how do you think social media will effect the way you write and interact in the future?
Kate:
It's so wonderful to feel like part of a community. Down here in Tassie, there aren't too many YA writers, or speculative fiction writers – I'm lucky that the couple there are happen to be people I count as friends. Social media helps me feel like I'm a part of a community. I am always in awe of the fact that Twitter and Facebook allow me to communicate with people I consider my idols. When Nick Earls first responded to one of my tweets, I nearly cried and when Ann M Martin followed me, I think it was just about the happiest day of my life (yes, I was a huge Babysitter's Club fan. Obsessed. Rabid. Insatiable). I can't imagine life without Twitter. As far as my development as a writer goes, it's been invaluable, and I have met some brilliant people, some of whom I've been able to meet in the “real world” but many who I only communicate with online. Three of these people co-organised the “Writers for Queensland” auction a couple of months ago, which raised over $20,000, so that's a real example of the good that social media can do! The whole thing was entirely organised on Twitter, email and blogs. I do love blogging, too. I only wish I had more time for it! I also pore over the blogs of other YA and Spec Fic authors and it allows me to keep up-to-date with what's going on in my genre. I couldn't do without it!
I’d like to thank Kate for answering my questions. You can find Kate at her site. Or she goes by @misscackle on twitter.
You should be able to purchase Thyla in all good Aussie bookstores and it’s available from Amazon as a Kindle download.
Keep your eye out for her next book, Vulpi as well.
. If you can’t bare to miss out on my adventures you can subscribe to the blog through a reader or Follow me on twitter.
